50 francs - 1960 - wedding of King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola

Belgium · 1960 · 50 francs

Commemorative coinRare

€11.21estimate

500,000coins minted

€15.50silver value · 10.44 g fine at today’s price

N6461 LABFM-189 SCHöN122 KM152.1 MOR544

RZReference number RZRZ-KJH3Q

Commemorative coin

Wedding of King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola (15 December 1960)

The coin's story

This silver 50 francs coin commemorates the wedding of King Baudouin to the Spaniard Fabiola de Mora y Aragón, born in Madrid in 1928, who had previously worked as a nurse. On 15 December 1960, the civil wedding was held in the throne room of the Royal Palace in Brussels, then the religious ceremony took place in the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, presided over by Cardinal Van Roey. All the inscriptions are in Latin, which allowed a single version for the whole country: BELGICA, BALDVINVS - FABIOLA and the date XV·XII·MCMLX. Both sides are the work of the medallist Carlos Van Dionant. Issued as a circulating coin, it was struck in 500,000 pieces at the Royal Mint in Brussels. It was demonetised on 1 January 1972.

ObverseThe Arms of the Spouses

BELGICAF50C.V.D.

Design: The shields of King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola, side by side under a single crown, between two laurel branches.
Legend: BELGICA (Belgium, in Latin).
Denomination: 50 F.
Signature: C.V.D.

CDEngraved by Carlos Van Dionant

ReverseThe Royal Couple

BALDVINVS - FABIOLAC. VAN DIONANTXV XII MCMLX

Design: The conjoined effigies of King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola facing left.
Legend: BALDVINVS - FABIOLA (Baudouin - Fabiola, in Latin).
Date: · XV · XII · MCMLX · (15 December 1960).
Signature: C. VAN DIONANT.

CDEngraved by Carlos Van Dionant